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Zn-ion-implantation to a dose of 1 × 1017 ions/cm2 was performed on ZnO thin films deposited on fused silica glass substrates by the sol–gel technique. After ion implantation, Zn-implanted ZnO films were annealed in air at different temperatures from 500 to 900 °C. The effects of ion implantation and post-thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of the ZnO films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and optical absorption measurements. XRD reveals that diffraction peaks recover at ∼700 °C. Optical absorption measurements show that the absorption edge blueshifts when the annealing temperature is below 600 °C while redshifts when the annealing temperature exceeds 600 °C. Urbach energy decreases with increasing the annealing temperature from 500 to 600 °C while increases from 600 to 900 °C. PL results showed that both near band edge (NBE) excitonic UV emission and defect related deep level emission (DLE) increased with increasing annealing temperatures from 500 to 900 °C.

This chapter presents peanut allergy which is the most common allergy caused by food. It explains peanut allergen species, components of other peanut allergy, the allergic mechanism, and clinical manifestation of peanut allergens. The allergen detection methods both in vivo and vitro and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis have been discussed. The chapter concludes by providing allergen fingerprints rapid detection including heat treatment, enzymatic technique, and irradiation treatment.

ZnO thin films were first prepared by the sol–gel process, and then Ge ions were implanted into the ZnO films. The effects of ion implantation on the structural and optical properties of the ZnO films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence (PL), and optical transmittance measurements. Measurement results showed that the intensity of the (002) diffraction peak was decreased and the full width at half maximum was narrowed. PL emission was greatly extinguished after Ge ion implantation. Both the near band edge (NBE) excitonic UV emission at 391 nm and the defect related deep level emission centered at 470 nm in the visible region were decreased after Ge ion implantation. NBE peak and the absorption edge were observed to have a blueshift toward higher energy.

A linearly conforming radial point interpolation method (LC-RPIM) is presented for stress analysis of two-dimensional solids. In the LC-RPIM method, each field node is enclosed by a Voronoi polygon, and the displacement field function is approximated using RPIM shape functions of Kronecker delta function property created by simple interpolation using local nodes and radial basis functions augmented with linear polynomials to guarantee linear consistency. The system equations are then derived using the Galerkin weak form and nodal integration techniques, and the essential boundary conditions are imposed directly as in the finite element method. The LC-RPIM method is verified via various numerical examples and an extensive comparison study is conducted with the conventional RPIM, analytical approach and FEM. It is found that the presented LC-RPIM is more stable, more accurate in stress and more efficient than the conventional RPIM.

Plasma arc cutting sound containing useful information about the cutting process has close relation with cut quality. The present paper investigates quality diagnosis method of plasma arc cutting by the cutting sound. In the present study the cut quality is divided into three types based on bottom kerf width and dross attached state. There are attached dross state (type 1), free dross state (type 2) and uncut through state (type 3). It is shown that a peak about 20 Hz appears obviously at cut quality type 2 and as cut quality becomes the type 3 the value of ∼40 kHz decreases remarkably. And influence of the emitted area of molten metal from plasma arc cutting on the cutting sound also has been revealed. At last corresponding relationship between the cutting sound and the cut quality has been discussed as cutting condition such as arc current and torch standoff height varied suddenly during the cutting process. Experimental results also suggest the possibility to make an acoustic based monitoring s...

Interconnected microstructural ZnO: Al thin films with low doping concentration (Al/Zn

ZnO:Al thin films doped with different aluminum concentrations were deposited on (0001) sapphire substrates by the sol-gel technique. Thermal annealing of ZnO:Al films was carried out in an argon ambient at various annealing temperatures from 600 to 950 degrees C. The effects of thermal annealing and dopant concentration on the optical properties of ZnO:Al thin films were investigated. It is found that near band edge UV emission is enhanced by increasing the annealing temperature and dopant concentration. But defect-related deep-level emission decreases with the increasing dopant concentration and thermal annealing has little influence as the deep-level emission. The optical band gap of ZnO:Al films increases from 3.21 to 3.25 eV on increasing the dopant concentration from 0.01% to 1%. The optical transmittance decreases in the visible region, while it increases in the ultraviolet region with an increase in the annealing temperature. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease which leads to irreversible blindness. The trabecular meshwork tissue controls intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the major risk factor for glaucoma. Gene therapy treatment of chronic diseases requires the use of long-term expression, low toxicity and lack of immune response vectors. Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) possess these characteristics but have been unable to transduce the trabecular meshwork. Because of the importance of regulating elevated IOP by long-term gene therapy, we investigated mechanisms of AAV transduction to the human trabecular meshwork (TM). Methods Primary human trabecular meshwork cells (HTM) and perfused organ cultures were infected with rAAV2-GFP, RGD-pseudotyped rAAV2-GFP alone, or combined with recombinant ΔE1/E3 adenoviruses. Intracellular rAAV2 DNA and RNA were measured by relative quantitative and real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Host transcriptome was analyzed using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. One transduction mechanism was tested using self-complementary AAV (scAAV). Results The dramatic transduction enhancement obtained upon co-infection of rAAV2 with ΔE1/E3 adenoviruses provides insights into transduction mechanisms in the HTM. Even if not transduced, rAAV2 enters TM cells. GeneChip analysis showed significant changes in host genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication. Consequently, scAAV-GFP transduction was highly efficient. Other transduction-enhancement genes included coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) and genes relevant to trabecular meshwork function. Conclusions The rate-limiting step of AAV transduction was not viral entry failure but, at least in part, host downregulation of DNA replication. Additional specific host genes might be involved. Our study revealed genes and mechanisms which led for the first time to efficient AAV transduction of the HTM. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The tremendous acoustic signal exiting during the plasma arc cutting process includes a lot of information about this process and has a close relation with cut quality. To investigate the relationship between the plasma arc cutting acoustic and cut quality, a number of experiments have been carried out. In the present study, cut quality by plasma arc is described by top and bottom kerf widths, bevel angle, and attached dross state, and the relationship between the evaluation items for cut quality and the SPL (sound pressure level) of the cutting acoustic is investigated in detail. It is shown that the SPL reaches a maximum as the bottom kerf width equals the diameter of the plasma arc potential core. The attached dross and kerf widths in a state of free dross obviously affect the low and high frequency components of the plasma arc cutting acoustic, respectively. These results also suggest the possibility of designing an acoustic-based monitoring system for the plasma arc cutting process.

Background: Thyroplasty type I, as introduced by Isshiki and colleagues almost 30 years ago, has become the gold standard of improving glottal incompetence caused by unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Intraoperative assessment of the adequacy of glottal closure is subjective and based on the perceptual judgment of vocal quality and degree of improvement in glottal gap size. Objective/Hypotheses: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether the intraoperative measurement of maximum phonation time (MPT) is an adequate predictor of voice outcome after thyroplasty type I. To assess this possibility, it was necessary to evaluate the effect of body posture (seated vs. supine) and anesthesia (none vs. light sedation) on the measure of MPT. Study Design: A prospective study of 20 individuals with unilateral vocal fold paralysis was undertaken. Methods: Subjects were assessed at three time points: pre-, intra-, and postoperatively across parameters of breathiness rating, glottal gap size, glottal flow rate, and MPT. Results: Results indicated that MPT was significantly lower in the supine versus seated position. In addition, light sedation resulted in a trend toward lower MPT that was not statistically significant. Finally, the intraoperative measurement of MPT, although lower than a 1-month postoperative measurement, was significantly predictive of the outcome. Conclusions: The intraoperative measure of MPT appears to be an adequate predictor of the postoperative outcome.

Continuous emulsion copolymerizations of styrene(St) and methyl methacrylate(MMA) were carried out at 50°C in a single continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) using sodium lauryl sulfate as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as initiator, respectively. The effect of operational variables such as the initiator and emulsifier concentrations in the feed and the mean residence time on the kinetic behavior was examined with the weight ratio of St/MMA in the monomer feed fixed at 1.0. It was found that 1) oscillation in monomer conversion takes place, although its amplitude is comparatively small compared with that usually observed in the continuous emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate in a CSTR, 2) the (time‐average) steady‐state total monomer conversion is proportional to the 1.7 power of the emulsifier, to the − 0.2 power of the initiator concentrations and to the 1.0 power of the mean residence time, and 3) the (time‐average) steady‐state number of polymer particles produced is proportional to the 2.5 p...

The sound emitted during plasma arc cutting is closely related to the cutting conditions including cutting speed, arc current, operating gas flowrate, torch standoff height, nozzle shape, etc., and it therefore contains useful information for the evaluation of the plasma arc cutting process. The present work investigates the characteristics of the sound emitted during plasma arc cutting under various cutting conditions, using fast Fourier transformation and probability statistical analyses. An acoustic model of plasma arc cutting, having two jet sound sources, is proposed to interpret this sound. The sensitive frequency band of the cutting sound and the relationship between the cutting sound and the conditions are then revealed. It is shown that the cutting sound is a random signal readily affected by cutting conditions, and its energy is concentrated in the high frequency field and originates mainly from the mixing region of the first sound source and the mixing and transition regions of the seco...

Medialization thyroplasty (type I) has become the gold standard to improve glottic closure due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis. A newer injection method utilizing homologous collagen from cadaveric human tissue has been described as an attractive alternative as no donor site is required, there is a very low risk of hypersensitivity, and the intact, acellular collagen fibers may suffer a reduced long-term reabsorption rate. Preliminary results on eight patients comparing presurgical and postsurgical parameters (perceptual, stroboscopic, acoustic, and aerodynamic) revealed comparable results when compared with a control group of individuals, age- and sex-matched, that had undergone standard medialization thyroplasty (type I). Further study is needed to assess the long-term results with this minimally invasive method of vocal fold medialization.

1Cr17Ni2 stainless steel is martensite steel. Its strength and ductility are high and its corrosion resistance is excellent. The submarine motor shaft was made from 1Cr17Ni2 stainless steel. On special conditions, the submarine motor shaft temperature increases to 200–300 °C. At 200–300 °C, the mechanical properties of 1Cr17Ni2 steel of submarine motor shaft are very important. The high-temperature tensile test of 1Cr17Ni2 stainless steel was carried out at RT, 100, 200, 300 and 400 °C. At 200–300 °C, 1Cr17Ni2 stainless steel appeared blue brittleness. With the temperature increased, the yield and tensile strengths reduced, the elongation decreased notably, the plastic part of the stress strain curve became saw-toothed and the fracture changed notably at 200–300 °C. The fractures were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). At 200–300 °C, the fracture changed notably. All this is similar to mild steel behavior. In the article, the blue brittleness of 1Cr17Ni2 stainless steel is described. The above behavior is explained.

Continuous emulsion polymerizations of vinyl acetate were conducted at 50°C in a single continuous Couette–Taylor vortex flow reactor (CCTVFR) using sodium lauryl sulfate as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as initiator. The polymerization can be carried out very smoothly and stably, but the steady-state monomer conversion attained in a CCTVFR is not as high as that in a plug flow reactor (PFR), but only slightly higher than that in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), even if the Taylor number is adjusted to an optimum value. Also, the effects of operating variables, such as the emulsifier, initiator, and monomer concentrations in the feed and the mean residence time on the kinetic behaviors were almost the same as those observed in a CSTR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2755–2762, 2002

Continuous emulsion polymerizations of vinyl acetate were carried out at 50 °C in a single continuous stirred-tank reactor using sodium lauryl sulfate as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as initiator. It was found that (1) the so-called limit cycles could take place in monomer conversion, the number of polymer particles and the molecular weight of polymers produced under certain operating conditions, (2) the time-average steady-state monomer conversion was proportional to the 0.31 power of the emulsifier concentration in the feed, to the 0.50 power of the initiator concentration, to the −1.0 power of the monomer concentration, and to the 0.90 power of the mean residence time, and (3) the time-average steady-state number of polymer particles produced was proportional to the 2.1 power of the emulsifier concentration in the feed, to the −0.80 power of the initiator concentration, to the 0 power of the monomer concentration, and to the −0.92 power of mean residence time. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2748–2754, 2002

Background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Ile655Val polymorphism may affect the efficacy of trastuzumab treatment of breast cancer. Patients and methods HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism was determined in 4167 patients with primary breast cancer using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) assay. We investigated the associations between the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism and clinical outcomes in women with HER2-negative breast cancer and with HER2-positive breast cancer who received trastuzumab or who did not. Results At a median follow-up of 44 months, HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism was not significantly associated with survival either in the entire study population of 4167 patients or in 2976 HER2-negative breast cancer patients. Among 816 HER2-positive patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy without trastuzumab treatment, patients with the Val/Ile or the Val/Val genotype had a significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS) and distant DFS (DDFS) than those with the Ile/Ile genotype (DFS, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–2.3; P = 0.037; DDFS, adjusted HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–2.9 P = 0.005). In contrast, among 212 HER2-positive patients who received chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab treatment, patients with the Val/Ile or the Val/Val genotype had a significantly better DFS and DDFS than those with the Ile/Ile genotype (5-year DFS, 100% versus 83%; P = 0.008; 5-year DDFS, 100% versus 89%; P = 0.031). Conclusions HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism affects the function of HER2 gene only restricted in HER2-positive breast cancers. HER2-positive breast cancer patients with the Val variant have an aggressive phenotype, but are sensitive to trastuzumab treatment.

Brain injury in meningitis occurs in part as a consequence of leukocyte migration and activation. Leukocyte integrins are pivotal in the inflammatory response by mediating adhesion to vascular endothelium and extracellular matrix proteins. We have demonstrated that moderate hypothermia early in the course of meningitis decreases leukocyte sequestration within the brain parenchyma. This study examines whether hypothermia alters neutrophil integrin expression in a rabbit model of bacterial meningitis. Prior to the induction of meningitis, peripheral blood samples were obtained and the neutrophils isolated. Sixteen hours after inducing group B streptococcal meningitis, animals were treated with antibiotics, IV fluids, and mechanically ventilated. Animals were randomized to hypothermia (32–33°C) or normothermia conditions. After 10 hours of hypothermia or normothermia, neutrophils were isolated from the blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), stained for β1 and β2 integrins, and analyzed using flow cytometry. Cerebral spinal fluid neutrophil β1 integrin expression was significantly decreased in hypothermic animals. Beta-1 integrins can assume a higher affinity or "activated" state following inflammatory stimulation. Expression of "activated" β1 integrins was also significantly decreased in hypothermic animals. Beta2 CSF neutrophil integrin expression was decreased in hypothermic animals, but failed to reach significance. These data suggest hypothermia may attenuate extravasated leukocyte expression of both total and "activated" β1 integrins.

Blood fibrinogen concentrations and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities of 66 adult cancer inpatients (aged 22–70 years) were determined both before and after one or two chemotherapy regimens. The percentage of hepatoma patients with abnormal blood fibrinogen levels (< 1.5 or > 6.0 g/l) was higher (64.3% of 14 patients) than that in other cancer categories (19.2% of 52 patients). The mean blood fibrinogen concentrations of male (3.5 g/l) and female (4.5 g/l) cancer patients were higher than those previously reported for healthy humans (2.8 and 2.9 g/l, respectively). After chemotherapy, blood fibrinogen concentrations decreased in patients whose primary tumours were surgically removed (from 4.8 to 3.2 g/l) but increased (from 3.0 to 4.8 g/l) in those who did not undergo surgery. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities did not appear to be related to blood fibrinogen levels. We conclude that the increase in mean blood fibrinogen levels of cancer patients is probably related to tumour growth. Different mechanisms may operate in patients with hepatoma.

Singing requires exquisite coordination between the respiratory and phonatory systems to efficiently control glottal airflow. Asymptomatic singing students underwent pulmonary function testing (PFT), videostrobolaryngoscopic examination, and measures of glottal efficiency (maximum phonation time [MPT], glottal flow rate [GFR], and phonation quotient [PQ]) performed in both a sung and spoken tone. Pulmonary function and glottal efficiency values were within reported normative data for professional singers. However, sung tones were made with significantly higher GFR and PQ and lower PQ than spoken tones. The mean GFR was not related to the degree of glottal closure (by videostrobolaryngoscopy) or underlying pulmonary support.

Objective: After thyroplasty type I, significant improvement has been reported in objective measures of vocal function. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the short- and long-term results in patients undergoing thyroplasty type I. Methods: Data on 26 patients who had undergone thyroplasty type I for management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis were compared from before surgery to the short-term (1-month) and long-term (>1-year) postoperative assessment points. Statistical analysis included paired tests to assess the significance of between-group differences. Results: Significant differences were found between the preoperative and both postoperative evaluations for the measures of mean glottal flow rate, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio. However, no significant differences were found between the 1-month and >1-year assessment points. Conclusions: The results for the parameters studied appeared to reach maximum improvement within 1 month after surgery. It is possible that the effects of time, including the normal aging process, hormonal changes, or other alterations in general health, may require longer follow-up to better address these issues. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;122:533-6.)

After thyroplasty type I, significant improvement has been reported in objective measures of vocal function. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the short- and long-term results in patients undergoing thyroplasty type I.Data on 26 patients who had undergone thyroplasty type I for management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis were compared from before surgery to the short-term (1-month) and long-term (1-year) postoperative assessment points. Statistical analysis included paired tests to assess the significance of between-group differences.Significant differences were found between the preoperative and both postoperative evaluations for the measures of mean glottal flow rate, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio. However, no significant differences were found between the 1-month and1-year assessment points.The results for the parameters studied appeared to reach maximum improvement within 1 month after surgery. It is possible that the effects of time, including the normal aging process, hormonal changes, or other alterations in general health, may require longer follow-up to better address these issues.

Products released by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) during an acute inflammatory response can result in diffuse tissue injury. Integrins are cell surface adhesion proteins that play a pivotal role in inflammation by allowing PMNs to adhere to the endothelium and migrate through the extracellular matrix. We examined the expression of β1 and β2 integrins on neutrophils from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in an animal model of Group B Streptococcal meningitis. We further evaluated whether integrin expression correlates with pathophysiologic markers of central nervous system inflammation. Our data demonstrate that β1 and β2 integrin expression on circulating neutrophils does not significantly increase as a consequence of meningitis. In extravesated CSF neutrophils, a significant increase in expression of both β1 and β2 integrins is noted. Furthermore, a majority of the β1 integrins on extravesated neutrophils have undergone affinity modulation. Using regression analysis, we demonstrated that increasing β1 integrin expression correlates with decreasing CSF glucose concentration and serum/CSF glucose ratio. Regression analysis approached significance when CSF protein was compared to PMN β1 integrin expression. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes β1 integrin expression also showed a direct correlation to myeloperoxidase activity in brain tissue. β2 expression on CSF PMNs did not correlate with these markers of inflammation/sequestration. These data demonstrate integrin expression on extravesated neutrophils markedly increases during meningitis and support a role for β1 integrins on neutrophils in the pathophysiologic consequences of meningitis.

Objective: Abnormalities in the mucosal lining of the vocal folds may interfere with the normal vibratory patterns and result in vocal limitations, especially for singers whose demands are great. A prospective, longitudinal study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of laryngeal abnormalities in asymptomatic singing students. Methods: Sixty-five singing students at the school of music underwent videostroboscopic evaluation and completed a comprehensive questionnaire. Videos were rated by 3 experienced clinicians, and interrater reliability was calculated. Results were correlated with demographic factors, background medical history, and singing history. Results: Five students (8.3%) exhibited early signs of benign vocal fold lesions (2 with nodules and 3 with cysts). A high incidence of posterior erythema (n = 44; 73.4%), suggesting possible reflux, was found. Conclusions: A surprisingly high number of otherwise asymptomatic singing students demonstrated abnormal laryngeal findings. Their relationship with vocal performance will be addressed as well as implications for preventative measures. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;121:69-77.)

In this paper the general hybrid-mixed finite element methods are investigated systematically in a framework of multi-field variational equations. The commonly accepted concept “saddle point problem” is argued in this paper. The existence, uniqueness, convergence, and stability properties of the solutions are proved undertaking the assumptions of Ker*-ellipticity and nested BB-conditions. The relation between discrete BB-condition and smallest singular value, and a so-called singular value principle are proposed for the practical applications using hybrid-mixed finite element methods.

Injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the laryngeal muscles has become the treatment of choice for controlling the symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Currently, no specific battery of objective tests to assess the outcome is universally accepted. The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic, clinical, and treatment factors with voice outcome following Botox injection. Sixty-eight patients with adductor SD who underwent at least one Botox injection during a 5-year period were studied. Voice outcome measures were made from patient self-reporting scales and included overall vocal quality, length of response, and duration of breathiness. Vocal quality was significantly correlated with the underlying severity of vocal symptoms prior to treatment, incidence of breathiness and unilateral versus bilateral injection. The length of response was greater in males and following bilateral injections. An increased period of breathiness significantly correlated with bilateral injections.

The global features of trimethylations of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) have been well studied in recent years; however, most of these studies were performed in mammalian cell lines. In this study, we generated genome-wide maps of H3K9me3 of the human heart and spleen using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) technology. We examined the global patterns of H3K9me3 in both tissues and found that modifications were closely associated with tissue-specific expression, function, and development. In addition, we found that 169 genes displayed significant H3K9me3 differences between the heart and spleen. Among these genes, 64 were heart-H3K9me3-specific, 87 genes were spleen-H3K9me3-specific, and 18 were shared in both heart- and spleen-H3K9me3. In conclusion, we observed significant differences in H3K9me3 in the heart and spleen, which may help to explain epigenetic differences between these tissues. Such novel findings highlight the significance of H3K9me3 as a potential biomarker or promising target for epigenetic-based disease treatment.

In the present study, we compared the expression levels of 3 microRNAs (miRNAs) between patients who had undergone kidney transplantation and healthy individuals in a search for a new diagnostic biomarker after kidney transplantation.We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to investigate the expression levels of miR-181a, miR-483-5p, and miR-557 in the serum of 15 kidney transplantation patients before transplantation on the first, third, and seventh days after transplantation. The study was performed in the Guilin 181st Hospital between 2010 and 2012. The results of this study may assist with early diagnosis and treatment and contribute to our understanding of the pathological parameters. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the area under the curve of each equation to predict evolution to rejection.ROC curves were performed to explore miRNAs to predict rejection occurrence after transplantation showed pre-transplantation expression levels of miR-181a to be a potential factor with a significant area under the curve (AUC = 0.985, P .05). The expression of miR-181a before kidney transplantation was also significantly different on days 1 and 3 after kidney transplantation, the area under the curve (AUC) was, respectively, 0.980 (P .05) and 0.830 (P .05). Predictors on days 1, 3, and 7 show that miR-483-5p and miR-557 are also predictive factors for rejection. Predictors for miR-483-5p and miR-557 were significantly under the area ROC, respectively (AUC = 0.920, P .05), and (AUC = 0.990, P .005) on day 1 (AUC = 0.920, P .05) and (AUC = 0.960, P .005) on day 3, (AUC = 0.845, P .05) and (AUC = 0.889, P .05) on day 7.This study of miRNAs was unrelated to age, sex, histological classification, and metastasis (all P.05). Serum miR-181a, miR-483-5p, and miR-557 could serve as circulating biomarkers for the early diagnosis of active situations of before and after kidney transplantation.

A western blot assay using purified recombinant bovine immunodeficiency virus gag protein has been developed for detection of bovine immunodeficiency virus antibodies in bovine serum samples. The test was standardized with known bovine immunodeficiency virus positive and negative bovine serum samples and the monoclonal antibody to gag protein. Both naturally and experimentally infected cattle sera demonstrated positive test results. The result of western blot assay was compared with polymerase chain reaction test results in 134 blood samples collected from Kansas. Twenty-six samples tested positive for bovine immunodeficiency virus DNA with polymerase chain reaction (18.7%) and 25 were positive for the antibody to gag protein by western blot analysis (17.9%). Of 26 cattle testing positive using the polymerase chain reaction assay, 24 were antibody-positive by western blot assay, thus establishing a strong correlation between the two tests. The sensitivity and specificity of western blot relative to polymerase chain reaction are 0.92 and 0.99, respectively. The western blot assay proved to be a specific and sensitive test.

In a previous communication, we reported a 50-kDa cell surface protein from Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells as a putative receptor for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The present study delineates further characterization of the receptor protein. Protease treatment of cultured MDBK cells adversely affected the receptor, thus abolishing the binding of anti-D89 (BVDV anti-idiotypes) to the cells. However, pretreatment of the cells with either phospholipases or glycosidases did not significantly change the anti-D89 binding to the cells. Additionally, pretreatment of cell monolayers with proteases decreased BVDV attachment and replication in the cells. These results suggested that the receptor for BVDV is a protein in nature, and glycosylation and phosphorylation may not play a direct role in BVDV attachment to cells. The BVDV receptor gradually regenerated on the cell surface after the protease-treated cells were cultured in normal growth medium. Regeneration of the BVDV receptor to a normal level took about 4 h as indicated by flow cytometric analysis and this process was inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. The 50-kDa receptor protein purified by electro-elution inhibited BVDV infection in a plaque reduction assay. It also inhibited anti-D89 binding to cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. These data demonstrated the nature of the 50-kDa protein as a specific receptor for BVDV.

Recent studies showed that kidney-specific inactivation of Kif3a produces kidney cysts and renal failure, suggesting that kinesin-mediated intracellular transportation is important for the establishement and maintenance of renal epithelial cell polarity and normal nephron functions. Kif5b, one of the most conserved kinesin heavy chain, is the mouse homologue of the human ubiquitous Kinesin Heavy Chain (uKHC). In order to elucidate the role of Kif5b in kidney development and function, it is essential to establish its expression profile within the organ. Therefore, in this study, we examined the expression pattern of Kif5b in mouse kidney. Kidneys from embryonic (E) 12.5-, 16.5-dpc (days post coitus) mouse fetuses, from postnatal (P) day 0, 10, 20 pups and from adult mice were collected. The distribution of Kif5b was analyzed by immunostaining. The possible involvement of Kif5b in kidney development was investigated in conditional mutant mice by using a Cre-LoxP strategy. This study showed that the distribution of Kif5b displayed spatiotemporal changes during postnatal kidney development. In kidneys of new born mice, Kif5b was strongly expressed in all developing tubules and in the ureteric bud, but not in the glomerulus or in other early-developing structures, such as the cap mesenchyme, the comma-shaped body, and the S-shaped body. In kidneys of postnatal day 20 or of older mice, however, Kif5b was localized selectively in the basolateral domain of epithelial cells of the thick ascending loop of Henle, as well as of the distal convoluted tubule, with little expression being observed in the proximal tubule or in the collecting duct. Conditional knock-down of Kif5b in mouse kidney did not result in detectable morphological defects, but it did lead to a decrease in cell proliferation rate and also to a mislocalization of Na+/K+/-ATPase, indicating that although Kif5b is non-essential for kidney morphogenesis, it is important for nephron maturation.

Indexable drills, with different geometry and coating materials on carbide inserts, manifest significant differences in drilling performance, including hole quality and tool wear. Though drilling was done at 71 m/min in a copious cutting fluid environment, a large built-up edge and not secondary shear formation was observed, contrary to our expectations. On the other hand, when turning under the same cutting conditions a very small built-up edge was observed. To study how geometry and coating materials of carbide inserts affect the drilling process, built-up edges on chip roots were studied. A novel explosive quick stop device used to obtain chip roots in drilling experiments was developed. By studying the built-up edge on the chip roots, some reasons have been found to explain the influence of geometry and coating materials and these are presented in this paper.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ids) have been used successfully in studies on bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) receptor(s) in our laboratory. The anti-ids specifically bound to cultured cells and identified a 50 kDa cellular membrane protein, which is thought to be a specific receptor for BVDV. In this study, flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that the anti-ids also specifically bound to different cell types, namely MDBK, EBK, BT, PK15, MA1O4, and Vero. Experiments on virus attachment and replication showed that BVDV adsorbed to all cells and replicated in them except monkey kidney cells MA 104 and Vero (non-permissive). Results from plaque reduction assays indicated that cellular membrane proteins from all cell lines competitively inhibited BVDV attachment to cultured MDBK cells, suggesting the presence of BVDV receptor on all cells. Immunoblotting of cell membrane proteins with the anti-ids revealed a 50 kDa protein in both permissive and nonpermissive cells. Subcloned or synchronized MDBK cells demonstrated no significant difference of binding with anti-ids as compared to normal cultured cells.

The microtubule motor kinesin-1 is responsible for the nuclear positioning during myogenesis. Here we show that the coiled-coil stalk/tail domain containing the kinesin light chain (KLC) binding sites targets to the perinuclear region like endogenous Kif5b, while the globular tail domain cannot. To investigate which fragments of kinesin heavy chain (Kif5b) is responsible for the myonuclear positioning, we transfect Kif5b expression constructs into Kif5b deficient myoblasts and test their ability to rescue the myonuclear phenotype. We find that the KLC binding domain and the autoinhibitory peptide in the globular tail region are both indispensable for the nuclear membrane localization of Kif5b and the kinesin-1-mediated myonuclear positioning. These results suggest that while the KLC binding domain may directly targets Kif5b to the myonuclear membrane, the autoinhibitory peptide may play an indirect role in regulating the kinesin-1-mediated myonuclear positioning.

SiO2/LiNbO3(LN)/SiO2 sandwich structures were fabricated for exploring efficient light emission. After annealing at 1000 °C in O2 for 30 min, this kind of sandwich structure shows a strong ultraviolet photoluminescence (PL) with an asymmetric spectral shape. This PL spectrum may be Gaussian divided into two bands peaked at 310 (α-band) and 346 nm (β-band). If the layer of LN film is replaced by an Fe-doped LN (LN:Fe) one, the β-band vanishes and the α-band redshifts. The α-band is greatly enhanced and simultaneously becomes asymmetrical after this kind of SiO2/LN:Fe/SiO2 structure is annealed for 60 min. Spectral analysis suggests that the α-band arises from an optical transition in positively charged E′ centers at the interfaces between the LN(:Fe) film and the two SiO2 layers, while the β-band arises from intrinsic defects in the LN(:Fe) films. The mechanism for the PL enhancement is discussed in terms of a photorefractive effect in the LN(:Fe) films.

We sought to determine the dissemination of gastric cancer cells before and after radical D2 surgery and to determine the effectiveness of EIPL in preventing post-operative peritoneal metastasis. 64 patients were recruited with advanced gastric cancer for our final analysis. Complete curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed on the 64 patients. Before surgery, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological analysis by cell smearing and immunohistochemistry to detect disseminated cancer cells (S1). Following tumor and lymph node resection, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S2). The patients were treated by extensive intra-operative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) with normal saline (n = 31) or distilled water (n = 33). The peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S3). At S1 stage, 18 patients (28.1%) were positive for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. After D2 lymphadenectomy, 34 patients (53.1%) had disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid at stage S2, which indicated that the D2 lymphadenectomy caused in an additional 16 (16/46, 34.8%) patients positive for disseminated cancer cells. After EIPL with either normal saline or distilled water at the S3 stage), all the patients were negative for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. A total of six patients died, and four patients had recurrencent cancer. These findings indicate that D2 lymphadenectomy can disseminate gastric cancer cells, and post-operative lavage of the abdominal cavity can eliminate cancer cell dissemination and decrease the risk of peritoneal metastasis.

A previous study has shown that Fc gamma RIIIB (CD16), an extensively glycosylated glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked neutrophil membrane protein, specifically co-caps with the iC3b R (CR3; CD11b/CD18). This study tests the possible physical interactions of another extensively glycosylated glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked protein, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), with CR3. Receptors were labeled using fluorochrome-conjugated F(ab')2 fragments of an anti-CR3 mAb. In some cases cells were capped using second step F(ab')2 fragments of an anti-mouse F(ab')2 antiserum. After 30 min at 37 degrees C, 65 +/- 4% of the cells exhibited CR3 caps whereas 61 +/- 2% demonstrated uPAR caps. When CR3-capped cells were probed with F(ab')2 fragments of anti-uPAR conjugated to a distinct fluorochrome, 45 +/- 3% of the cells co-capped uPAR. When uPAR was capped, 48 +/- 2% of the cells co-capped CR3. Similar levels of co-capping were observed using a DNP-conjugated anti-CR3 F(ab')2 and an anti-DNP second step F(ab')2 reagent for capping or using FITC-uPA as a probing reagent. Furthermore, CR3-uPAR co-capping and/or co-clustering was also observed using anti-CR3 IgM and Mn2+ as integrin aggregation stimuli. Significant co-capping of anti-CD14, anti-CD59, anti-Mo5, anti-HLA, or NBD-PE (a lipid probe) was not observed. Moreover, CR3 and uPAR co-capping was blocked by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, but not by six other saccharides, suggesting that a lectin-like site may participate in co-capping. This suggests that CR3 may regulate adhesive events by several mechanisms, including the regulation of the spatial distribution of uPAR.

To examine an effect of lead (Pb) on the process of osteoclast-like cell formation from its progenitors, we used a mouse bone marrow culture system in which osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) were formed in response to bone-resorbing agents. In a 9-day culture period, Pb dose-dependently stimulated MNC formation over the concentration range 2-10 microM, whereas at 40 microM Pb, MNC formation declined. In an 11-day culture period, MNC formation reached a maximum at 5 microM Pb and decreased with increasing concentration of Pb at 10-40 microM. Pb-stimulated MNC formation was inhibited by both indomethacin and SC19220, an antagonist of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor. Pb stimulated the production of PGE2 in marrow cell cultures, suggesting that Pb-stimulated MNC formation is dependent on the production of PGE2. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine potentiated Pb-stimulated MNC formation and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, inhibited it. A calcium ionophore A23187 increased Pb-induced MNC formation and verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, depressed it. It is possible that a PGE2-induced increase in the levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium ions in marrow cells is involved in Pb-induced MNC formation. Pb and parathyroid hormone showed a synergistic stimulation on MNC formation. From these results, Pb is thought to induce osteoclast-like cell formation by a mechanism involving PGE2 which increases the intracellular levels of cAMP and calcium ions.

We have previously prepared rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Ids) against the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the gp53 of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The anti-Ids, purified by sequential immunoaffinity chromatography, inhibited the immunizing MAb from binding to the original antigens and blocked BVDV infection of cell cultures. This study evaluated immune responses in mice to the purified anti-Id reagents. BVDV-specific neutralizing antibodies were induced by the anti-Ids. The antisera (Ab3) induced by the anti-Ids immunoprecipitated gp53 from BVDV-infected Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell lysates. However, lymphocyte-proliferative responses were specific only for the respective immunizing antigens. These results suggest that the anti-Ids may bear an internal image of the gp53 to stimulate production of antibody but not to stimulate a virus-specific cellular immune response in mice.

To evaluate the feasibility of using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as gene vector and the effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection.Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by controlling some chemical reaction parameters through a partially reduction precipitation method with ferric chloride aqueous solution as precursor material. The surface of particles was modified by polyethyleneimine (PEI) agents. The appearance, the size distribution, structure and phase constitute of MNPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD); the potential of absorbing DNA of MNPs was analysed by electrophoresis. Transfection was determined by delivering reporter gene, PGL2-control encoding luciferase, to different cell lines using MNPs-PLL as vector. The effect of magnetic field on the efficiency of transfection was determined using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.Foreign gene could be delivered to various cell lines by MNPs-PLL and expressed with high efficiency but the transfection efficiency and time course varied in the different cell lines studied. Magnetic field could enhance the efficiency of transfection by 5-10 fold.MNPs- PLL can be used as a novel non-viral gene vector in vitro, which offers a basis for gene delivery in vivo.

Three experiments, using 85 crossbred beef calves, were conducted to evaluate the adjuvanticity of single, multiple, and combined doses of recombinant bovine IL-1 beta (rBoIL-1 beta) and recombinant bovine IL-2 (rBoIL-2), with a modified-live bovine herpesvirus-1/parainfluenza-3 (BHV-1/PI-3) virus vaccine and a killed bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus vaccine. Cytokines were administered intramuscularly at vaccination but at different injection sites. All cytokine treatments increased non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytolytic capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) against virus-infected target cells and serum neutralizing (SN) antibody titers to BHV-1 and BVD virus. Multiple, consecutive injections of rBoIL-2 generally showed the greatest adjuvant effect, and no additive effect was observed when rBoIL-1 beta and rBoIL-2 were administered together. In a challenge experiment, calves were vaccinated with a modified-live BHV-1/PI-3 vaccine and infected with BHV-1 on Day 21. Cytokine-treated calves had higher SN antibody titers to BHV-1 than did the control calves at the time of challenge. Calves that were administered rBoIL-2 on 5 consecutive days shed less BHV-1 and had the highest SN antibody titer to BHV-1 (Day 28). These data suggest that rBoIL-1 beta and rBoIL-2 may be useful immunoadjuvants for bovine respiratory disease virus vaccines.

We have produced and characterized polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ids) that mimic the antigenic structures of gp53 from bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). In this study, the anti-ids were used to identify cell receptors for BVDV. The anti-ids bound specifically to bovine cells, as determined by flow cytometric analysis, and inhibitory binding assays showed that they bound to the cell surface receptors for BVDV. A cell surface protein with an M(r) of approximately 50K was immunoprecipitated by the anti-ids from MDBK cells; this was blocked by preincubation of cell lysate with BVDV. This indicates that the 50K protein might be a specific receptor for BVDV gp53. Thirteen BVDV strains were used to evaluate inhibition of anti-id binding to MDBK cells and inhibition of BVDV infection of anti-id-treated MDBK cell monolayers. Results demonstrated that both processes were inhibited to varying degrees depending on virus strain. The results suggested that multiple receptors for BVDV attachment may exist on MDBK cells, and that different virus strains do not have the same receptor.

Summary Carbide inserts of different geometry (SNG, CNMG, CNMG-MG, CPMP, and SPMP) with a variety of coatings [CVD TiN, PVD TiN, CVD (TiCN/TiC/Al 2 O 3 ), CVD (TiCN/TiC) + PVD TiN, CVD TiC, and TiN/Al 2 O 3 , …TiCN] were used to machine AISI 1018 steel at different speeds with and without a coolant. Three typical colors deep blue, blue, and golden brown were analyzed and found to contain varying amounts of oxide layers consisting of FeO, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 . Chip roots from turning/drilling operations were studied for secondary shear/built-up edge formation, and temperatures calculated and related to chip color. Chip color classification, brightness, surface roughness, waviness, roundness, and chip strain were measured and evaluated.